Julie Hesmondhalgh, alias Hayley in Coronation Street with some pupils at Mount St Joseph School

CORONATION Street star Hayley proved to be a class act when she joined children at a Farnworth summer school.

Down-to-earth Julie Hesmondhalgh who plays the Wetherfield machinist, signed autographs and chatted with pupils yesterday at Mount St Joseph School.

The actress was visiting the school's Flying Start project -- which helps children due to start secondary school in September brush up on their English and Maths skills -- for the second year running.

But for all the attention she attracted, she laughingly admitted that many kids were keener to catch up on the soap's latest dramatic developments.

"They are more interested in what had happened with Leanne and Jez!" she said.

Julie praised the summer school, where 60 pupils have spent the last fortnight improving their literacy and numeracy skills.

She said: "The success of the summer school last year was absolutely fantastic. It was something of a flagship. You can see it gives the kids confidence.

"I only wish there was something like this around when I was at school."

Julie had to fit the trip into her busy Coronation Street filming schedule.

For summer school co-ordinator Stella Whitaker, Julie's return visit was a welcome boost.

"She's an absolute star," she said. "She's the opposite of a prima donna and she's great with all the children. Having her here has really boosted our idea of getting the kids off to a flying start. Sometimes the children can be anxious about starting secondary school but having these sessions has definitely helped to ease the transition."

Children have given up two weeks of their holidays to attend the summer schools. Volunteer sixth formers from Bolton School have been working alongside them as "study buddies."

Pupils at the summer school are introduced to their future teachers and have lessons in different rooms to familiarise them with the school's layout.